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the 'Bride 



THE BRIDE 

By Samuel Rowlands 

Reprinted for the First Time from a Copy 

of the Original Edition of 1617 in 

the Library of Harvard College 

With an Introductory Note by 
Alfred Claghorn Potter 



BOSTON 

Printed for C. E. Goodspeed 

at The Merrymount Press 

1905 



mi 

Copyright, 1905, by Alfred Claghorn Potter 



Two Copies Keteimi 

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Introductory !fi(ote 

WHEN The Complete Works of Samuel 
Rowlands were isoued by the Hunterian 
Club in 1 872-1 880, in an edition of two hundred 
^nd ten copies, the editGi was obliged to omit from 
the collection the poem entitled "The Bride." No 
copy of this tract was supposed to be extant. Twenty 
years later, in the article on Rowlands in the Dic- 
tionary of National Biography, Mr. Sidney Lee also 
n^mes this poem as one of the author's lost works. 
All that was known of it was the entry in the Sta- 
tioners' Register:* 

"22 Maij 1617 
" Master Pauier. Entred for his Copie vnuerthe handes 
" of master Tauernor and both the wardens, A Poeme in- 
" tituled The Bride, written by Samuell Rowlande vj d *" 

While all of Rowlands'^ works are classea by biblio- 
graphers as "rare," this one seemed to have disap- 
peared entirely. No copy was to be found in any of 
the large libraries or private collections, nor was 
there any record of its sale. 

Last spring a copy was discovered in the cata- 
logue of a bookseller in a small German town, and 

*Arber*s Transcript, vol. Hi. p. 609. 



Introduction 

was secured for the Harvard College Library, being 
purchased from the Child Memorial Fund. The copy 
is perfect, except that the inner corner at the top of 
the second and third leaves has been torn off, with the 
loss of parts of two words, which have been supplied 
in manuscript. From this copy the present reprint 
is made. As in the Hunterian Club edition of Row- 
lands's Works, to which this may be considered a 
supplement, the reprint is exact. The general make- 
up of the book as to style and size of type has been 
followed as closely as possible; and the text has been 
reproduced page for page and word for word. The 
misprints, which are unusually numerous, even for 
a book of this period, have been left uncorrected. The 
title-page and the two head-pieces have been repro- 
duced by photography. 

Of the poem itself, since it is now before the reader, 
little need be said. It cannot be claimed that it pre- 
sents great poetical merit. Rowlands at his best was 
but an indifferent poet, — hardly more than a penny- 
a-liner. In his satirical pieces and epigrams, and in 
that bit of genuine comedy, " Tis Merrie when Gos- 
sips meete," his work does have a real literary value, 
and is distinctly interesting as presenting a vivid pic- 
ture of London life at the beginning of the seven- 
teenth century. In "The Bride," it must be con- 
fessed, Rowlands falls below his own best work. Yet 



Introduction 

the poem is by no means wholly lacking in interest. 
If not his best work, "The Bride" is by no means 
his worst. Like most of his poems, it is written in an 
heroic stanza of six lines, and, as is not so common 
with him, is in dialogue form. The dialogue for the 
most part is well sustained and sprightly. The story 
of the birth of Merlin, it is true, seems to have been 
inserted mainly to fill out the required number of 
pages; but this digression has an interest of its own, 
in that the name here given to Merlin's mother, 
"Lady Adhan," does not appear in the ordinary ver- 
sions of the legend. 

Of Rowlands's life almost nothing is known: that 
little is told in the Memoir by Mr. Gosse prefixed 
to the Hunterian Club edition, and by Mr. Lee in 
the Dictionary of National Biography, and need not 
be repeated here. All that is known with certainty 
is that Samuel Rowlands was a writer of numerous 
poems and pamphlets, published between the years 
1598 and 1628. During this period there appeared 
almost every year a pamphlet bearing his name or 
the well known initials, " S. R." Twenty-eight sep- 
arate works, of which many passed through several 
editions, are known to have been written by him. 
All of these early editions are rare; at least two of 
the works have been lost; several are extant only 
in the second or later editions; and of at least ten, 



Introduction 

only single copies are known to exist. Beside the edi- 
tion of the Works already referred to, a number of 
Rowlands's tracts have been separately reprinted, 
in limited editions, by Sir Walter Scott, by S. W. 
Singer, by E. V. Utterson, by Halliwell-Phillipps, 
by J. P. Collier, and by E. F. Rimbault in the publi- 
cations of the Percy Society; to this series of reprints, 
" The Bride " is now added. 

Alfred Claghorn Potter 



Harvard College Library 
January^ 1905 



THE BRIDE 





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THE BRIDE TO 

ALL MAYDES. 



NOt out of bubble blafted Pride, 
Doe Ioppofe myfelfe a Bride ; 
In Jcornefull manner with vpbraides: 
Again ft all mode ft virgin maides. 
As though I did dijpife chaft youth, 
This is not my intent of truths 
I know they muft Hue Jingle liues y 
Before tli are graced to be wiues. 
Butfuch are only touch* d by me, 
That thinke themjelues as good as wee: 
And Jay girles, Weomens fellows arr y 
Nayfawcely, Our betters farr : 
Tea will difpute, they are as good, 
Such Wenches vex me to the blood, 
And are not to be borne with all: 
Thofe I doe here in queftion call, 
Whome with the rules ofreafons Arte: 
lie teach more wit before we part. 
Sylence, ofkindnes I befeech, 
Doeyoufinde eares, and wet lefindef peach. 




Virgins, and fellow maydes (that were of late) 
Take kindly heere my weeding dayes a dew, 
I entertayne degree aboue your ftate: 
For Marriage life's beyond the lingle crew, 

Bring me to Church as cuftome fayes you mail, 
And then as wife, farewell my wenches all. 

I goe before you vnto Honour now, 
And Hymen's Rites with ioy doe vndertake 
For life, I make the conftant Nuptiall vow, 
Striue you to follow for your credits fake, 
For greater grace to Womankind is none 
Then Ioyne with husband, faithfull two in one. 

Goq Honoured thus, our great Grand-mother Eue 
And gaue thereby the blefling of increafe, 
For were not manage we muft all beleeue, 
The generations of the earth would ceafe. 

Mankind mould be extinguifh'd and decreaf d 
And all the world would but confift of beaft. 

Which caufed me to finde my Mayden folly, 
And having found it, to reforme the fame: 

A 3 Though 



The 'Bride. 

Though fome of you, thereat feeme melancholy 
That I for ever doe renounce your name. 
I not refpe<5t what ceniure you can giue, 
Since with a loving Man I meane to Hue. 

Whofe kindeft heart, to me is worth you all, 
Him to content, my foule in all things feekes, 
Say what you pleafe, exclaiming chide and brail, 
He turne difgrace vnto your blufhing cheekes. 
I am your better now by Ring and Hatt, 
No more playn Rq/e, but Miftris you know what. 

Marrie therefore and yeald increafe a {tore, 
Elfe to what purpofe weare you breed and borne: 
Thofe that receaue, and nothing giue therefore: 
Are fruitles creatures, of contempt and fcorne, 

The excellence of all things doth confift, 

In giuing, this no reafon can refill:. 

The glorious Sun, in giving forth his light, 
The Earth in plants, and hearbs & counties things 
The trees their fruit, The Emprejfe of the Night 
She bountious giues to rivers flouds and fprings, 
And all that heaven, and all that earth containes, 
Their goodnes, in Increafe of guifts explaynes. 

But what doe you that neither giue nor take, 
(As only made for hearing, and for feeing,) 
Although created helpers for Mans fake: 

Yet 



The "Bride. 

Yet Man no whit the better for your being, 
That fpend confume and Idle out your howers, 
Like many garden-paynted vfelefle flowers. 

Your Hues are like thofe worthies barren trees, 
That never yeald (from yeare to yeare) but leaues: 
Greene-bowes vpon them only all men fees, 
But other goodnes there is none receaues, 

They flourifh fommer and they make a friowe, 
Yet to themfelues they fruitles fpring & growe. 

Confider beaft, and fifh and foule, all creatures, 
How there is male and female of their kinde, 
And how in loue they doe inlarge their natures: 
Even by conftrayn'd neceffity inclyn'd: 

To paire and match, and couple tis decreed, 
To ftocke and ftore the earth, with what they 

fbreed. 
In that moil powerfull word, ftill power doth lye, 
To whofe obedience all mull fubiedt bee, 
That fayd at firft, Increafe and multiply, 
Which (till enduers fr jm age to age wc fee: 
Dutie obligeth every one mould frame, 
To his dread will, that did commaund the fame. 

// is not good for Man to be alone, beft : ) 

( Sayd that great God, who only knowes whats 
And therefore made a wife of Adams bone, 
While he repofing flept, with quyet reft, 

Which 



The 'Bride. 

Which might prefage, the great Creator merit, 
In their coniunclion, fume of earths content, 

Mi/iris Sufan. 

Good Mijiris Bride, now we haue hard your fpeach 
In commendation of your Nuptiall choyfe, 
Giue me a little favour I befeech, 
To fpeake vnto you with a Virgins voyce: 

Though diuers elder maydes in place there be, 
Yet ile begin, trufting they'le fecond me. 

We are your fellows but to Church you fay, 
As cuftome is that maydes, mould bring the Bride? 
And for no longer then the wedding day, 
You hould with vs, but turne to tother fide: 
Boafting of Honour you affend vnto, 
And fo goe forward making much adoe. 

But this vnto you Iuftly I obie<5t, 
In the defence of each beloued mayde, 
Virginity ', is life of chart refpecl, 
No worldly burden thereupon is layd: 
Our fyngle life, all peace and quiet bringes, 
And we are free from carefull earthly things. 

We may doe what we pleafe, goe where we lift, 
Without pray husband'toill you giue me leaue, 
Our refolutions no man can refift, 

Our 



The "Bride. 

Onr own's our owne, to giue or to receiue, 
We Hue not vnder this fame word obay: 
Till Death depart vs, at our dying day. 

We may delight in fafhion, weare the fame, 
And chufe the ftuffe of laft devifed fale: 
Take Taylors counfell in it free from blame, 
And cart: it offafTbone as it growes ftale: 
Goe out, come in, and at felfe pleafure Hue, 
And kindly take, what kind youngmen do ^iue.^ 

Wee haue no checking churlifh taunts to feare vs, 
We haue no grumbling at our purfe expence: 
We feeke no mifers favour to forbeare vs, 
We vfe no houshold wranglings and offence: 
We haue no cocke to over crowe our combe, 

Cate. 

Well faid good Su/an, now thou pay 'ft her home. 

Bridt. 

A little favour pray, good Miftris Sue, 
You haue a time to heare afwell as fpeake: 
You challenge more by odds then is your due, 
And ftand on Arguments are childirfi weake: 
Of freedome, liberty, and all content, 
But in the aire your breath is vainely fpent. 

B It 



The 'Bride. 

It is your fhame to boft you hauc your will, 
And that you are in feare of no controwlc, 
Your cafes Sujan, are more bad and ill, 
Moil dangerous to body and to foule: 
A woman to her will hath oft bin try'd, 
To run with errour, on the left hand fide. 

Pray did not danger then to Eue befall, 
When fhe tooke liberty without her heda, 
The Serpent ouercame her therwithall, 
And thorow will, me wilfull was mifled: 
Yelding affoone as Sathan did intice, 
And of her husband neuer tooke aduife. 

In wit to men we are inferiour far, 
For arts for learning, and Ingenious things, 
No rare Inuentions in our braynes there are, 
That publique profit to a kingdome brings: 
Tis they that muft all callings execute, 
And wee of all their labours reape the fruite. 

They are Diuines for foules true happines, 
They Maieftraites to right offenfiue wronges, 
They fouldiers for their martiall valiantnes, 
They artizans, for all to vfe belonges : 
They husbandmen to worke the earths increafe, 
And they the fome of womens ioye and peace. 

And mall not we performe obedience then ? 

As 



The "Bride. 

As wee are bound by law of God and nature, 
Yealding true harts affection vnto men, 
Ordain'd to rule and gouerne euery creature: 
Why then of all on earth that Hue and moue, 
We mould degenerate and monfters proue. 

Befe. 

Monfters (forfoth) nere fleepe in maidens beds, 
But they are lodged with your married wiues, 
The knotty browes, and rugged butting heds,' 
Concerne not vs, profeffing fingle Hues, 

To learne your horne-booke we haue no deuotio 
Keepe monfters to your felues, we fcorne the mo- 
tion. 

Bride. 

Befle, of fuch fhapes, whe your turne corns to mar- 
A carefull mynd, in choyfe of husband beare, (ry 
For if your browes from former fmothnes varry, 
Thinke on this fpeach, It commethwith afeare: 

Which I am pail:, perplexe me no feare can. 

Being fure I haue a conftant honeft man. 



Belieue you haue, and t'is enough they fay, 
But you and I agree not in a mynde, 
I read in ftoryes men will run aftray, 

B 2 Yet 



The 'Bride. 

Yet make their foolifh wiues beleeue th'are kind: 
And therefore fince they are fo cunning knowne 
He keepe my felfe a maide and truft to none. 

Had I one futor fwore himfelfe loue-ficke, 
Another for his Mistris fake would die, 
A third thorow Cupids power growne lunaticke, 
A fourth that languishing paft hope did lye: 
And fo flft, fixt, and feauenth in loues paflion, 
My Maiden-head for them mould ner'e change 

(fafhion. 
Mneas told many a cogging tale, 
To Dido that renowned worthy Queene, 
And Iafon with his flatterings did preuaile, 
Yet falfer knaues in loue were neuer feene: 
And at this inftant hower, as they were then, 
The world aboundeth with deceitfull men. 

Doll 

lane, thats too true, for to you all I fweare, 
How I was bobd by one tis fhame to tell, 
A fmoother fellow neuer wench did heare, 
And as I Hue, I thought he lou'd me well: 

Heere you fhall fee one of his cunning letters, 
Which dill I keepe, & meane to mew his betters. 

In Romane hand, on guilded paper writ, 

Pray 



The 'Bride. 

Pray Dorothy read you it to the reft, 
But whether his owne head inuented it, 
Or robd fome printed Booke, I doe proteft : 
I cannot tell, but his owne name is to it, 
Which proues he takes vpon him for to doe it. 



The Loue Letter. 

The truefl heart, /hall nougnt butfalfhood cherijh. 
The mildeft man, a cruell tyrant prooue , 
The water drops, the hardeft flint Jhallperijh, 
The hi lies /hall walke y and majsie earth remooue: 
The brighteft Sun fliall turne to darkejome clowde, 
Ere I prooue falfe, where I my loue haue vowde. 

Ere I prooue /al/e , the world aefolud fliall be, 
To that fame nothing that it was be/ore, 
Ere I prooue /al/e mine eyes /hall ceaje to fee, 
And breath o/li/e/hall breath in me no more: 

Theftrong built frame /hall moue/rom hisfoundati- 
Ere I remoue my Joules determination. {on 

Death /hall /orget to kill, and men to dye, 
Condemned Joules /hall laugh, and ceaje to mourne, 
The loweft hell fliall rife andmeete the fry e, 
Time /hall forget his courfe and backe re turne: 
Contrary vnto kinde each thing fliall proue, 

B 3 Ere 



The "Bride. 

Ere I befalfe or once forget my loue. 

Oh then deare heart regard my fad eft ate, 

My pafsions grief e and wofull lamentation \ 

Ohpittie me ere pittie come too late, 

That hold thee deare paft mans imagination: 
Prejerue my life and fay that thou wilt haue me, 
Or elfe I die the whole world cannot faue me. 

Grace. 

This is a Ballad I haue heard it fung. 

Doll. 

Well, be or be not, that's not to the matter, 
But who will truft a louers pen or tongue, 
That vfe all proteftations thus to flatter : 
For this bafe fellow that was fo perplext, 
Sent this one monday, and was married next. 

Sara. 

Now out vpon him moft disenabling creature, 
He warrant you that he can neuer thriue, 
He fhowes himfelfe, euen of as bad a nature, 
As euer was in any man aliue : 

Alas poore foole that hath this fellow got, 
Shee hath a Iewell of him, hath fhe not ? 

Nell 



The Bride. 

Nell. 

Yes furely hath fhe, fwaying all things deepe,) 
A louer that will tail asfvveete as gall, 
One that is better farre to hang then keepe, 
And I perfwade me you doe thinke fo all: 
Excepting onely partiall Mi/iris Bride, 
For fhe ftands ftoutly to the married fide. 

Bride. 

So farre as reafon, and as right requires, 

I will defend them both by word and deede, 

Yet haue I no apology for lyers, 

And ill conditions that falfe hearts doe breede : 
" All that are married be not faithfull kinde, 
" Nor all vnmarried, are not chart in minde. 

Are there not maids (vpon your cofcience fpeake?) 
Knowne to your felues as well as you knowe me, 
Will vowe their loue to men, and falfly breake, 
Which in the number of your Virgins be, 

That will delude fome halfe a fcore young men, 
And hauing gull'd them, take fome other then. 

I will not name her was in loue with ten, 
But in your eares i'le note her fecret; harke, 
She had both Courtiers, Cockneys, Country-men, 
Yet in the ende a Saylor boards her Barke : 
And therefore put not men in all the blame, 
But fpeake the trueth, and fo the diuell fhame. 

Grace. 



The 'Bride. 



Grace. 

I knowe the partie well that you doe meane, 
And thus much for her I dare boldly fay, 
To diuers futors though me Teemed to leane, 
To trye her fortunes out the wifeft way: 
Yet did fhe neuer plight her faith to any, 
But vnto him fhe had, among fo many: 

And ther's no doubt but diuers doe as fhe, 

Your felfe in confcience, haue had more then one, 

To whom in fhewe you would familiar be, 

And comming to the point why you would none: 

Ciuilitie allowes a courteous cariage, 

To fuch as proffer loue by way of marriage. 

An affable behauiour may be vfed, 
And kinde requitall anfwere kinde defeart, 
And yet no honeft man thereby abufed, 
With fained fhowes, as if he had the heart: 
When there is purpofe of no fuch intent 
To gull him with his time and mony fpent. 

Mall 

Were I to giue maides counfell, they to take it, 
And that they would confent to doe as I, 
Who offered vs his loue, we would forfake it, 
And like Dtanes Nymphs would liue and die: 

For 



The Bride. 

For I proteft your louers mould haue none, 
But wiues and widdowes to put tricks vpon. 

We would reuenge the crafty double dealing, 
Thoufands of harmelefle virgins doe endure, 
By their deceitfull art of kinde-hart dealing, 
Keeping our loues vnto our felues fecure: 

And credit to their vowes, fhould be no other, 
But in at one eare, and goe out at t'other. 

Bride. 

This you would doe, and y'are in that minde now, 
But I perfwade me tis but rafhly fpoken, 
And therefore Mary make no foolifh vow, 
For if you doe in confcience t'will be broken: 

Say you doe meane to keepe you free from man, 

But to be fure, ftill put in If you can. 

Or elfe you may prefume aboue your power, 
Twixt words and deedes, great difference often 
You may be taken fuch a louing hower, (gvowes, 
Your heart may all be Cupids to difpofe: 

Then we mall haue you ficke, & pine and grieue, 
And nothing but a husband can relieue. 

Aske but your elders that are gone before, 
And the'le fay marry maide as we haue done, 
Twixt twelue and twenty open loue the doore, 
And fay you vvere-not borne to Hue a Nonne: 

C vnperfed 



The 'Bride. 

Vnperfecl: female, liuing odde you are, 
Neuer true euen, till you match and paire. 

luft-Nature at the firft this courfe did take, 
Woman and man deuided were in twaine, 
But by vniting both did fweetely make, 
Deuifions blirTe contenfull to remaine, 

Which well made lawe of Nature and of kinde, 
To matters reafonles doe nothing binde. 

Nothing vnfit, nothing vniuft to doe, 

But all in order orderly confuting, 

Then what feeme they that wil not ioine their two 

And fo be one, without vnkinde refifting: 
Surely no other cenfure paffe I can, 
But {he's halfe woman Hues without a man. 

One, that depriues her felfe of whats her right, 
Borne vnto care, and ignorant of eafe, 
A luftleffe liuing thing, without delight, 
One, whom vnpleafantneffe beft feemes to pleafe: 
Depriu'd of lifes fweete ioy, from kind remoued, 
Of worthlefle parts, vnworthy to be loued. 

Who will in paine pertake with fuch a one, 
(Whom we may mod vnhappy creature call,) 
Who will afsift her, when her griefe makes mone, 
Or who vphold her if me chance to fall: 

The 



The 'Bride. 



The burthen one doth beare is light to two, 
For twilled cordes are harder!: to vndoe. 

The loue and ioy doth abfolute remaine, 

That in pofteritie is fixed fa^, 

For thou in children art new borne againe, 

When yeeres haue brought thee to thy breath- 

(fpent laft : 
Thofe oliue plants, fhall from each other fpring, 
Till Times full period endeth euery thing. 

This beinr thus, what fenceleffe giiies you be, 
To iuftifie a life not worth embracing, 
Oppofing filly maiden wits gainft me, 
That will not yeelde an ynch to your out-facing: 
For were heere prefentail the maydes in towne, 
With marriage reafons I would put them down. 

Prudence. 

Kinke fitters all, now I haue htjrd the Bride, 
Will you haue my opinion, not to flatter, 
Sure I am turning to the wedding fide, 
I heare fuch good found reafon for the malter: 
Let Grace , Doll. BeJ/e, and Sujan y Ma:y, lane, 
Leade apes in hell, I am not of their vaine. 

As fure as death ile ioyne my felfe with man, 

C2 For 



The 'Bride. 

For I perfwade me tis a happy life, 
He be a Bride with all the fpeede I can, 
It's wonder how I long to be a wife : 
Grace heer's good counfell, had you grace to take it 
Sujan tis found, oh Bejje doe not forfake it. 

Good husband-men we fee doe euer vfe, 
To chufe for forfit thofe that breede the beft, 
And none will keepe bad breeders that can chufe, 
Euen fo your fowlers that often brood the neft, 
Are mod efteem'd, & their kinds worthier!: thoght 
All barren things, by all are counted nought. 

Who plantes an orchard with vnfruitfull trees, 
None but a madman fo will waft his ground, 
Or who fowes corne where onely fand he fees, 
Allured that there will no increafe be found : 
And in a word all that the world containes, 
Haue excellence in their begetting gaines. 

For my part therefore I refolue me thus, 

Vnto the purpofe I was borne, ile Hue, 

All maydes are fooles that will not ioyne with vs, 

And vnto men their right of marriage giue: 

Moft worthy Bride, here is my hand and vow, 

I loue a man in heart, as well as thou. 

Francis. 
Prudence, I am of your opinion iuft, 
A vvif *s farre better than a matchleffe maide, 

lie 



The "Bride. 

He ftay no longer virgin then needes muft, 
The law of Nature ought to be obayde : 
Either we mult haue inward loue to m^n, 
Or elfe beare hate, and fo be brutifh then. 

Doth not the world initrucl vs this by others, 
That wedlocke is a remedy for iinne, 
Shall we be wifer then our reuerent mothers, 
That married, or we all had baftards bin : 
And ere our mothers loft their maiden Iemme, 
Did not our grandhams euen as much for them. 

From whence haue you the gift to Hue vnwed, 
Pray of what ftuffe are your ftraight bodies made, 
By what chaft fpirit was your niceneife bred, 
That feeme of flefh to be fo purely ftayde : 
Are not all here made females for like ends, 
Fye, fye for fham^, difemble not with friends. 

He tell you one thing which by proofe I knowe, 
My mother had a cocke that vs'd to roame, 
And all the hens would to our neighbours goe, 
We could not keepe them for our Hues at home : 
Abroad they went, though we wold nere fo faine 
Vntill by chance we got our cocke againe. 

And fo my fathers pigeons in like fort, 
Our matchleife hens about would euer flye, 
To paire with other doues they would refort, 
(Pray laugh not Sufan, for it is no lye) I 



The 'Bride. 

But you moft wilfull wenches that oppofe, 

Againft the ftate that you are borne to honour, 

A prophefie vnto you He difclofe, 

And fhe that here doth take moft nice vpon her: 
Pray note it well, for there is matter in it, 
And for to doe you good thus I beginne it. 

When fifh with fowle change elements together, 
The one forfaking aire, the other water, 
And they that woare the finne, to weare the fea- 
ther, 
Remaining changelings all the worlds time after; 
The courfe of nature will be fo beguilde, 
One maide fhall get another maide with childe. 

When euery Crow mall turne to be a Parret, 
And euery Starre out-mine the glorious Sunne, 
And the new water works runne white and clarret, 
That come to towne by way of ijlington, 

Woemen and men fhall quite renounce each o- 

(tber. 
And maides fhall bee with childe, like Merlins 

(mother. 
Grace. 

Like Merlins mother, how was that I pray, 
For I haue heard he was a cunning man, 
There lines not fnch another at this day, 
Nor euer was, fince Brittans firft began : 

Tell 



The 'Bride. 



Tell vs the ftory, and we well will minde it. 
Becaufe they fay, In written bookes wejinde it. 

Bride. 

Marry this Merlins mother was welfh Lady, 
That liued in Carnaruan beautious maide, 
And loue of Lords and Knights fhee did not way 

(by, 
But fet all light, and euery one denay'd: 
All Gentlemen, (as all you knowe be there,) 
That came a wooing were no wit the neere. 

At length it hapned that this gallant girle, 
Which fcorned all men that me euer faw, 
Holding her felfe to be a matchlefle Pearle, 
And fuch a Loadeftone that could Louers draw : 
Grew belly-full, exceeding bigge and plumpe, 
Which put her Mayden-credit in a dumpe. 

Time running courfe, and her full ftomacke fed, 
When confumation of fewe months expired, 
Shee husbandlefTe, a mayde was brought to bed, 

D Of 



The Bride. 



Of that rare Merlin that the world admired: 
This to be honeft, all her friends did doubt it, 
Much prittle prattle was in Wales about it. 

So that ere long, the ftrangnes of the thing, 
To heare that Lady Adhan had a childe, 
Caus'd famous Arthur ; (being Brittans King) 
Send fcr her to the Court, and reafon milde: 
To know how this rare matter could be done, 
And make her finde a father for her fonne. 



She told his Maieftie with fighes and teares, 
That keeping beautie carefull from the Sunne, 
Within her chamber fafely fhut from feares, 
Till Phoebus horfes to the Weft were runne: 

The doores faft lock'd, and fhe her felfe alone, 
Came in a gallant ftranger, meere vnknowne. 

Who euer came in courting manner to her, 
With all the louing courage could be thought: 
So powerfull in perfwafions force to woe her, 
That to his will conftrained fhe was brought: 
Although her heart did firme deniall vow, 
Yet me was forc'd to yeeid and knew not how. 

So 



The "Bride. 

So oft he came (quoth me) priuate and ftrange, 
When I fhut vp my felfe in moil fad humor, 
That i began to finde an inward change, 
Which brought me quickly to an outward tumor: 
An't pleafe your highnes I was in fuch cafe, 
That to the world I durft not mow my face. 

My foes reioyced, all my friends were fad, 
My felfe in forrow fpent both day and night, 
No fatisfaclion my wrong'd honour had, 
Was neuer maide in fuch perplexed plight: 
To be with child whether I will or no, 
And for my child, no humane father know. 

Had I bin married (quoth (he) as I ought, 
And with my loue, the loue of man requited, 
I had not to this woefull (late bin brought, 
In all contempt, difgracefully defpighted: 

And tearmed ftrumpet by the rude vnciuill, 
Who fay my fonne is baftard to the diuell. 

Wherefore I wifh Ladies of my degree, 
And all the reft inferiour forts of maydes, 
To take a warning (for their good) by me, 



Y 2 Yeeld 



ing 



T*he "Bride. 



Yeelding affection when kind men perfwades : 
And hate difdaine that vile accurfed fin, 
Leaft they be plagu'd for pride as I haue bin. 

How fay you to this warning wenches now, 
That Lady Adhan giues vnto you all, 
Were you not better marriage to allow, 
Then in a manner for a Midwife call : 

I thinke you were if I might iudge the caufe, 
How fay you Su/an, fpeake good Doll 'and Grace, 



This is a (lory that feemes very ftrange, 
And for my pai t, it doth me full perfwade, 
My Mayden-head with fome man to exchange, 
I will not Hue in danger of a mayde: 

The world the flefli, the diuell tempts vs (till,- 
He haue a husband, I proteft I will. 



If I were fure none of you here would blabbe, 
I would euen tell you of a dreame moft true, 
And if I lye, count me the verieft drabbe, 
Tnat euer any of you faw or knewe : 

When 



The "Bride. 



When a friend fpeakes in kindnes do not wrong 

(her: 
For I can keepe it (for my life) no longer. 

One night (I haue the day of moneth fet downe) 
Becaufe I will make ferious matters fure, 
Me thought I went a iourney out of towne, 
And with a propper man I was made fure : 

As fure as death, me thought we were allured, 
And all things for the bufineife were procured. 

We did agree, and faith and troath did plight, 
And he gaue me, and I gaue him a Ring, 
To doe as Mi/iris Bride will doe at night, 
And I proteft me thought he did the thing : 
The thing we ftand lb much vpon he tooke, 
And I vpon the matter bigge did looke. 



Forfooth (in fadnes,) I was bigge with childe, 
And had a belly, (marry God forbid,^ 
Then fell a weeping, but he laught and fmil'd, 
And boldly faid, weele ftand to what we did : 
Fye, fye (quoth I) who euer ftands I fall, 
Farewell my credit, maydenhead and all. 

D 3 Thus 



The 'Bride. 



Thus as I cry'd and wept and wrong my hands, 
And faid deare maydes and maydenhead adue, 
Before my face me thought my mother (lands, 
And queftion'd with me how this matter grew : 
With that I ftart awake as we are now, 
Yet feard my dreame had bin no dreame I vow. 

I could not (for my life) tell how to take it, 

For I was ftricken in a mightie maze, 

Therefore if marriage come He not forfake it, 

Tis danger to Hue virgin diuers wayes, 
I would not in fuch feare againe be found, 
Without a husband, for a thoufand pound. 

Sufan, 

Is it euen fo Grace, are you come to this, 
You that perfwaded me from loue of late, 
When you knew who, fent me a Ring of his : 
And would haue had me bin his turtle mate, 
You cunningly did make me to forfake him, 
Becaufe I thinke in confcience you will take him. 

He truft your word another time againe, 
That can diffemble fo againft your heart, 
Wifhing that I mould earneftly refraine, 

From 



The 'Bride. 



From that which thou thy felfe embracer art: 
This is braue doing, I commend you Grace, 
But ile nere truft you more in fuch a cafe. 

Bride, 

I pray you here let this contention ende, 
(We being all of felfe fame woman kind,) 
And each the other, with aduife befriend, 
Becaufe I fee fome of you well enclin'd: 

To take good wayes, and fo become good wiues, 
Ile teach you certaine rules to leade your Hues. 

You that intend the honourable life, 
And would with ioy liue happy in the fame, 
Muft note eight duties doe concerne a wife, 
To which with all endeuour fhe muft frame: 
And fo in peace poflefle her husbands loue, 
And all diftaft from both their hearts remoo ue. 



The firft is that fhe haue domeftique cares, 
Of priuate bufinefle for the houfe within, 
Leauing her husband vnto his affaires, 
Of things abroad that out of doores haue bin: 
By him performed as his charge to doe, 
Not bufie-body like inclin'd thereto. 

Nor 



The 'Bride. 



Nor intermedling as a number will, 

Of foolifh goffips, fuch as doe neglect, 

The things which doe concerne them, and too ill, 

Prefume in matters vnto no effe6t: 

Beyond their element, when they mould looke, 
To what is done in Kitchin by the Cooke. 

Or vnto childrens vertuous education, 
Or to their maides that they good hufwiues be, 
And carefully containe a decent iafhion, 
That nothing pafle the lymmits of degree: 

Knowing her husbands buiinefle from her own, 
And diligent doe that, let his alone. 

The fecond dutie of the wife is this, 
(Which mee in minde ought very carefull beare) 
To entertaine in houfe fuch friends of his, 
As me doth know haue husbands welcome there: 
Not her acquaintance without his confent, 
For that way Iealoufie breeds difcontent. 

An honeft woman will the fcandall mun, 
Of that report is made of wantonneffe, 
And feare her credit will to ruine run, 

When 



The Bride. 



When euill fpeakers doe her fhame exprefle: 
And therefore from this rule a practife drawes, 
That the effect may ceafe, remoue the caufe. 

Th'ird dutie is, that of no proude pretence, 
She moue her husband to confumt his mcanes, 
With vrging him to needlefle vaine expence, 
Which toward the Counter, or to Ludgate leanes: 
For many ydle huswiues (London knowes) 
Haue by their pride bin husbands ouerthrowes. 

A modeft woman will in compafle keepe, 
And decently vnto her calling goe, 
Not diuing in the frugall purfe too deepe, 
By making to the world a pecocke fhowe: (wiues, 
Though they feeme fooles, fo yeelde vnto their 
Some poore men doe it to haue quiet Hues. 

Fourth dutie is, to loue her owne houfe beft, 
And be no gadding gomppe vp and downe, 
To heare and carry tales amongft the reft, 
That are the newes reporters of the towne: 
A modeft vvomans home is her delight, 
Of bufinefle there, to haue the ouernght. 

E At 



The 'Bride. 



At publike playes me neuer will be knowne, 
And to be tauerne gueft fhe euer hates, 
Shee fcornes to be a ftreete-wife (Idle one,) 
Or field wife ranging with her walking mates: 
She knows how wife men cenfure of fuch dames, 
And how with blottes they blemifh their good 

(names. 

And therefore with thedoue fheele rather choofe, 
To make aboade where fhe hath dwelling place, 
Or like the fnayle that fhelly houfe doeth vfe, 
For fhelter ftill, fuch is good-hufwiues cafe : 
Refpecling refidence where (he doth loue, 
As thofe good houfholders, the fnayle and doue. 

Fift dutie of a wife vnto her head, 
Is her ohedience to reforme his will, 
And neuer with a felfe conceit be led, 
That her aduife prooues good, his counfell ill: 
In Judgement being fingular alone, 
As hauing all the wit, her husband none. 

She muft not thinke her wifedome to be thus, 
(For we alaffe are weakelings vnto men) 
What lingular good thing remaines in vs, 

Of 



The 'Bride. 



Of wife ones in a thoufand, fhow me ten, 
Her ftocke of wit, that hath the molt (I fay,) 
Hath fcarfe enough for fpending euery day. 

When as the husband bargaines hath to make, 
In things that are depending on his trade, 
Let not wifes boldnes, power vnto her take, 
As though no match were good but what fhe made 
For (lie that thus hath oare in husbands boate, 
Let her take breech, and giue him petti-coate. 

Sixt dutie is, to pacifie his yre, 
although fhe firde that he empatient be, 
For hafly words, like fuell adde to fire, 
And more, and more infenceth wraths degree : 
When fhe perceiues his choller in a fit, 
Let her forbeare, and that's a figne of wit. 

Many occafions vnto men doe fall, 
Of aduerfe croffes, woemen not conceiue, 
To find vs honny, they doe meete with gall, 
Their toyle for vs, doe their owne ioyes bereaue : 
Great fhame it were, that we mould ad their woe, 
That doe maintaine, and keepe, and loue vs fo. 

E2 If 



The "Bride. 



If that a hafty word fometime be fpoke, 
Let vs not cenfure therefore they are foes, 
Say tis infirmitie that doth prouoke, (knowes : 
Their hearts are forry for their tongues God 
Since we by proofe each day and hower finde, 
For one harfh word, they giue ten thoufandkind 

The feuenth dutie that me mint endeauour, 
Is to obferue her husbands difpofition, 
And thereunto conforme her felfe for euer, 
In all obedient fort, with meeke fubmiflion : 
Refoluing that as his conditions are, 
Her rules of life fhe muft according fquare. 

His vertues and good parts which fhe doth finde, 

fhee muft endeauor for to imitate, 

The vices whereunto he is enclin'd, 

Shee muft in patience beare in milde eftate : 
So that the meekenefle of her louing carriage, 
May be peace-maker, of all ftrife in marriage. 

She muft not doe as foolifh woemen vfe, 
When they are met about the goflippes chat, 
Their abfent husbands with their tongues abufe, 

But 



The Bride. 



But vtterly abhorre to offer that : 

Refoluing that a husbands lead: difgrace, 
Sould caufe the wife to haue a blufhing face. 

The eight laft dutie fhe mud: take vpon her, 
To binde all t'other feauen to be done, 
Is loue and chiefe regard to husbands honour, 
Which if at true affection it begunne : 
Then be he poore, or ficke, or in diftrtfle, 
See ftill remaines moll firme in faithfulnefle. 



Beft in aduerfitie it will appeare, 
What conftancy within the heart remaines, 
No teftimonie can be found more cleare, 
Then friend in trouble rhat his loue explaines : 
For fuch a one we may refolue is true, 
That changeth not, though fortune turne from 

(yon. 

And thus faire virgins, to you all farewell, 
What I haue fpoken doe proceede from loue, 
The ioyes of marriage I want art to tell, 
And therefore no more talke, but try and proue : 
With wedding rings, be wiues of credit knowne 
God fend good husbands to you euery one. 

FINIS. 



A Limited Edition of two hundred and ten copies of this book (of which 
one hundred and ninety are for sale) was printed on Old Italian hand- 
made paper, by D. B. Updike, The Merrymount Press, Boston, in Feb- 
ruary, 1905. This copy is No. 2/0- 



FEB 27 1905 



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